Jason White, Green Day Guitarist, Diagnosed With Tonsil Cancer

Green Day guitarist Jason White has treatable tonsil cancer, discovered during a routine tonsillectomy, the band announced on its website Friday.

“Thankfully they caught it early and he should make a full and speedy recovery,” the band’s statement said.

White became an official member of Green Day in 2012, although he had been touring and playing with the band off and on for years.

White also is a member of The Big Cats, who announced on their Facebook page, “Hey there friends, sad to say but the Big Cats have to step aside and miss our annual holiday show this year. A few weeks ago Jason found out that his two month long sore throat was in fact a bit of cancer growing on his esophagus. The good news is that it's localized and very much treatable. He gets started later this week. Thanks in advance for keeping him in your thoughts. We'll see ya in 2015.”

It was the second round of bad news in six short months for Green Day. Bassist Mike Dirnt announced in May on the group’s website that his wife has breast cancer.